A Day in the Life of an IT Professional in Spain

[ValenciaSon]

Hi Marina,

I don't know how hectic your work environment is but a podcast that covers what a typical work day is like for you as an IT professional. It might prove interesting for us to compare and contrast with other counterparts from other countries.

[Marina]

I don't think my normal working day is that interesting to tell you the truth.

I leave Madrid every day about 7.15 or 7.30 to comute to Tres Cantos (23 Km north of Madrid). If I'm lucky and there is not much traffic I'll be working by 7.45 or 8 in front of my computer for 8.45 hours plus 1 h for lunch. Then back to the traffic and again if I'm lucky back at home at 6.15 or 6.30h. If we've got time and we try to fit a podcast or do planning for future ones. Otherwise I go to a yoga class or do house things like shopping, doing the washing or cooking. By the time I sit down to rest or watch telly I realize that is already sleeping time. That goes on for 4 and 1/2 days as Fridays I only work 6.15hours. Then the weekend arrives :D:D:D

[ValenciaSon]

Wow Marina! You do have a full plate! I'm amazed you're able to do CFS and other NFS activities given your schedule. Well thanks for the info and all that you do for NFS.

Recuerdos

[Brian]

I'll be working by 7.45 or 8 in front of my computer for 8.45 hours plus 1 h for lunch. That goes on for 4 and 1/2 days as Fridays I only work 6.15hours.

Is the abbreviated Friday work schedule something typical of Spain, or is it just a feature of your job?

[kyle]

Is the abbreviated Friday work schedule something typical of Spain, or is it just a feature of your job?

The abbreviated schedule is typical in madrid (many people go out for the weekend, mainly people from other parts of spain). For example in my job we only work for 6h on fridays (we have a 39h work week) plus we're supposed to work for 8h15' mon-tue... so 2 hours less on fridays

It's rather nice leaving work on a friday at 14:30 :)

[Brian]

The abbreviated schedule is typical in madrid (many people go out for the weekend, mainly people from other parts of spain). For example in my job we only work for 6h on fridays (we have a 39h work week) plus we're supposed to work for 8h15' mon-tue... so 2 hours less on fridays

It's rather nice leaving work on a friday at 14:30 :)

Very nice! I can only dream about a 39-hour work week, but I usually tell them not to schedule me for any jobs late on Friday, so I'm usually free by 3 PM.

[Brian]

I've heard that often, Friday is also called "San Viernes," meaning that there's a tacit implication that many jokingly see Friday as a holiday.

[ValenciaSon]

My father would treat payday as a holiday and call it San Pagarin ;)

[Brian]

My father would treat payday as a holiday and call it San Pagarin ;)

¡Que risa! ;D

[richardksa]

So the naming of Friday as "POETS"* day has its basis in fact.




* P*ss Off Early, Tomorrow's Saturday.

[Alan]

It's not a rule that we can't say piss is it?

[Brian]

It's not a rule that we can't say piss is it?

I suppose if you use in the sense of being borracho, it's probably ok. But the word is a little fuerte to most Americans.

[gary]

I suppose if you use in the sense of being borracho, it's probably ok. But the word is a little fuerte to most Americans.


we've no chance getting TFI Friday past the censors then!

[Brian]

we've no chance getting TFI Friday past the censors then!

Never heard that one before. TGIF, yes.

[gary]

Never heard that one before. TGIF, yes.

We have even had a TV show called TFI Friday....

Same sentiment Anglo Saxon expletive... we are way more free with them than in the US

[Brian]

We have even had a TV show called TFI Friday....

Same sentiment Anglo Saxon expletive... we are way more free with them than in the US

It's amazing, really. That word is probably the most offensive expletive in America.

We

[Brian]

We do have a chain of restauraunts called TGI Fridays. Pretty good for American grub.

[gary]

It's amazing, really. That word is probably the most offensive expletive in America.

that word is not uncommon here but the word beginning with the third letter of the alphabet is almost never uttered

[Edith]

We have even had a TV show called TFI Friday....

Same sentiment Anglo Saxon expletive... we are way more free with them than in the US

I've never heard a single bleep on TVE either. ;)

[Brian]

that word is not uncommon here but the word beginning with the third letter of the alphabet is almost never uttered

Coconuts? ;)

[gary]

Coconuts? ;)

close enough for me;)

[ValenciaSon]

Is there any outsourcing of software engineering to India in any of the companies in Spain?

[Brian]

Is there any outsourcing of software engineering to India in any of the companies in Spain?

You mean like every vendor in the US? :mad:

[kyle]

Is there any outsourcing of software engineering to India in any of the companies in Spain?

software engineering? in Spain? pass me whatever you're smoking right now :D

In spain there is an enormous rate of subcontracting, even chained subcontrating, ie: Company A contracts B to do something, B subcontracts C and so on... and in the end, the software is developed by a couple of becarios (universitarios working full time for ridiculous amounts of money, sometimes even less than 500€/month).

There is a trend now of subcontracting to comanies located in LatAm, which makes things even worse (but there's still a strong competence with our underpaid becarios here - until they discover becarios in LatAm....)

iuk :(

[ValenciaSon]

Sounds like the US.

[Greg]

Is there any outsourcing of software engineering to India in any of the companies in Spain?
Our company does actually outsource to a few programmers in India and the Philippines, but I think we're a pretty unusual case. We've also been on the receiving end of some (sub-sub-)contracting business from the States, but again, it doesn't seem to be very common.

What Kyle said also seems to be true; there's a pretty big market for entry-level IT workers who'll work for very low pay, and there's a big demand for becarios who'll work for next to nothing. For those with more experience, the best chance at a decent salary seems to be with the big multinationals and consulting houses.